30 Rock backdrop
Comedy

The Worst Episodes of 30 Rock

Every episode of 30 Rock ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of 30 Rock!

Binge this in 2d 2hPeaking at 8.9/10

Liz Lemon, the head writer for a late-night TV variety show in New York, tries to juggle all the egos around her while chasing her own dream.

Airs on

Seasons7

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    30 Rock Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.2/10(2087 votes)

    #1 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Liz Lemon is the head writer on a demanding, live TV program in New York City. However, things begin to get complicated when her new boss insists that a wild and unpredictable movie star joins the cast.

    Writer:Tina Fey

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 20 - Queen of Jordan II: Mystery of the Phantom Pooper
    7.2/10(875 votes)

    #2 - Queen of Jordan II: Mystery of the Phantom Pooper

    S6:E20

    Angie brings "Queen of Jordan'' back to TGS. News about Avery forces Jack to confront his feelings for her mother, and Liz finds herself in a feud.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 4 - Jack the Writer
    7.4/10(1584 votes)

    #3 - Jack the Writer

    S1:E4

    Liz struggles to keep Jack out of the writers' room and Kenneth soon learns that working for Tracy may be more than he expected.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. 30 Rock Season 4 Episode 11 - Winter Madness
    7.4/10(945 votes)

    #4 - Winter Madness

    S4:E11

    Hoping to boost staffers' spirits, Liz takes TGS on the road, but Jack takes over for his own reasons, and the staff find reasons to blame Liz for all that's wrong in their lives.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. 30 Rock Season 4 Episode 18 - Khonani
    7.4/10(891 votes)

    #5 - Khonani

    S4:E18

    Liz discovers that the TGS staff have been excluding her from their weekly hangouts, and strives to prove that she can be fun. Jack must choose between janitors and the shift time they both want, and Kenneth aids Tracy Jordan in being a good husband.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 13 - Grandmentor
    7.4/10(767 votes)

    #6 - Grandmentor

    S6:E13

    Liz struggles in her new role as mentor to Hazel. Kenneth has a difficult time letting go of his page duties and takes drastic measures to make sure Tracy is taken care of. Meanwhile, Jack and Jenna come up with a plan to get Avery back in the headlines.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of 30 Rock

    READ
  8. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 15 - The Shower Principle
    7.4/10(729 votes)

    #7 - The Shower Principle

    S6:E15

    A curse strikes TGS. Liz dares to be different after realizing that the same things happen every year, and Jack vows to wow Hank Hooper.

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 2 - The Aftermath
    7.5/10(1766 votes)

    #8 - The Aftermath

    S1:E2

    Now that major changes have occurred on the The Girlie Show, Liz struggles to bring everyone and everything together. However, despite his erratic behavior, Tracy manages to bring everything to order.

    Writer:Tina Fey

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. 30 Rock Season 5 Episode 17 - Queen of Jordan
    7.5/10(1159 votes)

    #9 - Queen of Jordan

    S5:E17

    Angie's reality show visits "TGS", resulting in a red-faced situation for Jack, Jenna pining for attention, and Liz leading a scheme to lure Tracy back from Africa. Meanwhile, Frank reconnects with a lost love.

    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 16 - Nothing Left to Lose
    7.5/10(730 votes)

    #10 - Nothing Left to Lose

    S6:E16

    Tracy regains his sense of smell and finds an unusual father figure in Liz, while the writers spark a prank war with Jenna.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 17 - Meet the Woggels!
    7.5/10(761 votes)

    #11 - Meet the Woggels!

    S6:E17

    Jack's mom upstages his ribbon-cutting ceremony. Meanwhile Jenna hooks up with a "rock star" and Tracy frets about his son heading to college.

    Director:Linda Mendoza
    Writer:Ron Weiner

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. 30 Rock Season 7 Episode 5 - There's No I in America (2)
    7.5/10(751 votes)

    #12 - There's No I in America (2)

    S7:E5

    Realizing that Jenna could decide the Presidential election, Liz and Jack stage a debate to win her support and her followers. Kenneth turns to Tracy for advice on how to be an informed voter, while Pete tries to recreate the magic of the 2008 election.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. 30 Rock Season 7 Episode 6 - Aunt Phatso vs. Jack Donaghy
    7.5/10(737 votes)

    #13 - Aunt Phatso vs. Jack Donaghy

    S7:E6

    Tracy and Jack engage in a battle of wits after Tracy depicts Jack as a villain in his latest project. On Jack's advice, Liz puts her own needs ahead of those of "TGS." Meanwhile, Jenna tries to shield Kenneth from Hazel's manipulation but her own selfishness gets in the way.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. 30 Rock Season 1 Episode 6 - Jack Meets Dennis
    7.6/10(1487 votes)

    #14 - Jack Meets Dennis

    S1:E6

    After Liz takes her ex-boyfriend, Dennis, back simply because he asks, Jack takes it upon himself to mentor her as he thinks that she is leading a life of mediocrity. Meanwhile, Tracy gets a tattoo in the face, Jenna gets botox and collagen injections, and Josh is given two black eyes by an angry Liz Taylor.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. 30 Rock Season 2 Episode 12 - Subway Hero
    7.6/10(1152 votes)

    #15 - Subway Hero

    S2:E12

    Dennis becomes a New York City celebrity after jumping in front of a train and saving someone who fell on the tracks. Meanwhile, Jack desperately tries to persuade Tracy to become the celebrity face of the Republican Party.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. 30 Rock Season 3 Episode 17 - Cutbacks
    7.6/10(1008 votes)

    #16 - Cutbacks

    S3:E17

    Despite the 50th episode of TGS airing, everyone is preoccupied with news of budget cuts. Jack has to dole out cutbacks while Kenneth has to take on extra duties. Meanwhile, Liz tries to save her staff and crew and Jenna and Tracy try to uncover Kenneth's secret.

    Director:Gail Mancuso

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. 30 Rock Season 4 Episode 12 - Verna
    7.6/10(946 votes)

    #17 - Verna

    S4:E12

    Jenna's mother comes to visit, and she looks to Jack to help. Frank moves in with Liz as a boarder, and they decide to aid one another stop some bad habits.

    Director:Don Scardino
    Writer:Ron Weiner

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. 30 Rock Season 4 Episode 19 - Argus
    7.6/10(883 votes)

    #18 - Argus

    S4:E19

    Wedding fever hits TGS, leaving Liz to sort out Grizz's dilemma when both Tracy and Dot Com want to be his best man. Jenna's new boyfriend, Paul, raises Liz and Pete's suspicions, while Jack is finally forced to deal with the death of his mentor, Don Geiss, when Geiss leaves him a strange but meaningful inheritance.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. 30 Rock Season 5 Episode 9 - Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish
    7.6/10(872 votes)

    #19 - Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish

    S5:E9

    Jack recommends that Liz start seeing a therapist when she worries that Carol is getting bored with their relationship. In an attempt to take Jack's advice, Liz begins talking to Kenneth about her problems. Jack also finds himself caught up in one of Tracy's schemes when Tracy tries to convince him to invest in his son's theme restaurant in Times Square. Meanwhile, Jenna and Paul celebrate their six month anniversary.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. 30 Rock Season 5 Episode 19 - I Heart Connecticut
    7.6/10(817 votes)

    #20 - I Heart Connecticut

    S5:E19

    As cancellation looms for "TGS", Liz snoops with Kenneth to find a missing Tracy. Meanwhile, Jack works his magic to ensure the financial success of Jenna's newest endeavor; and an emasculated Pete organizes a manly contest for the writers and crew.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. 30 Rock Season 5 Episode 23 - Respawn
    7.6/10(823 votes)

    #21 - Respawn

    S5:E23

    The "TGS" crew anticipate their summer vacation. Liz lands in the Hamptons for some rest and relaxation, but she gets the summertime blues when Tracy moves in next door. Elsewhere, a lonely Jack latches onto Kenneth for company; and Jenna's new job impacts her relationship with Paul.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 10 - Alexis Goodlooking and the Case of the Missing Whisky
    7.6/10(774 votes)

    #22 - Alexis Goodlooking and the Case of the Missing Whisky

    S6:E10

    In order to hide his relationship with Lynn, Frank convinces his mother that he is dating Liz. Tracy and Jenna team up to try to solve the case of Pete's missing whisky. Meanwhile, Jack teaches Kenneth how to take down his first business nemesis.

    Writer:John Riggi

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 12 - St. Patrick's Day
    7.6/10(789 votes)

    #23 - St. Patrick's Day

    S6:E12

    Jack feels unworthy of his latest award and attempts to redeem himself by taking on the writers in a strategic board game. Liz believes she's cursed on St. Patrick's Day when her ex-boyfriend Dennis shows up to derail her relationship with Criss. Meanwhile, Hazel struggles to keep the peace between Tracy and Jenna.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  25. 30 Rock Season 6 Episode 21 - The Return of Avery Jessup
    7.6/10(727 votes)

    #24 - The Return of Avery Jessup

    S6:E21

    Avery finally returns home from her kidnapping ordeal in North Korea, yet Jack grows uncertain of her fidelity while she was away. Elsewhere, Criss is crossed due to Liz's role as top wage earner, and Jenna seeks a sponsor for her approaching nuptials.

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  26. 30 Rock Season 7 Episode 1 - The Beginning of the End
    7.6/10(796 votes)

    #25 - The Beginning of the End

    S7:E1

    The "TGS" gang returning from hiatus, only to be shocked by Jack's awful fall programming lineup. Meanwhile, bridezilla Jenna taps Liz to be her maid of honor, and Tracy is invited to a dinner party by Kenneth and Hazel.

    Director:Don Scardino

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Pilot" is the worst rated episode of "30 Rock". It scored 7.2/10 based on 2087 votes. Directed by Adam Bernstein and written by Tina Fey, it aired on 10/11/2006. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Queen of Jordan II: Mystery of the Phantom Pooper".